Wine Jug (Oinochoe)

There are several forms of Athenian wine jugs (oinochoai); this form, called a chous, is known for its bulbous body and three-lobed mouth. During the Anthesteria, a springtime festival celebrating the new vintage of wines, it was customary to drink from choes and to pour libations from them at the tomb. As the ancient Greeks also considered springtime to be a period of rebirth, when the spirits of the dead returned to visit the living, choes were often used as grave offerings.

The image on this chous indicates that it may have been used in a funerary or ceremonial context. As a grave-gift, it would have allowed for the perpetual renewal of the deceased’s lifetime accomplishments. For the Athenians, mounted horsemen were heroic figures. Here, the young horseman beside his steed can be understood as a fallen hero. The monument in the background was perhaps intended to commemorate him.